Featured Album: Ballast Der Republik by Die Toten Hosen

Die Toten Hosen is one of the most recognized German punk bands not only in Germany but around the world. Since forming the band in 1982, Die Toten Hosen has released 15 studio albums and a mix of live and compilation albums, all of which have become hits. Their latest album, “Ballast der Republik” has been released for their 30th anniversary and the 16 song album makes up for the long 4 year pause since their last release.

“Ballast der Republik” is packed with the higher powered songs fans love, but there is a nice pacing throughout the album that provides a softer break every once in a while. If you’re expecting an album full heavy metal/rock sounds you won’t find too much of it here. Die Toten Hosen has stuck with a more alternative/punk sound that will easily produce a few radio hits in Germany. “Tage wie diese” is the first single to hit German radio stations and is sure to become a Toten Hosen classic.

You can download “Ballast der Republik” from music stores such as iTunes and Amazon as either a standard album or deluxe edition which features a bonus disc of cover versions of popular German songs performed by Die Toten Hosen.

Stephen founded German Pulse and LGBT Germany out of a passion to introduce Americans to a Germany that goes beyond beer and polka (although with enough beer he has been known to polka it up a bit). He's a coffee addict, lover of wine and good times, a hit in the kitchen and editor of TV commercials. You can follow him on Twitter (@StephenWFuchs) to find out a lot more.